Slave Life in Georgia - African American History

Slave Life in Georgia 57
in, and presently came out with another man, whom I afterwards learnt was
Theophilus Freeman the negro-trader. It was a crafty thing the stranger did, to
bring Freeman out to me. By so doing he avoided observation, and gave the
trader an opportunity of striking a bargain without being over-heard by any
other dealer. Freeman looked at me a minute, and then examined me, but did not
at first seem disposed to purchase me. He found fault with my age and my
appearance, and said I should not go off well, as I was not smart-looking
enough. The young man then informed him I was a carpenter, and I added that I
was a good workman, and worth any man's money. Freeman upon this asked
what the young man, my supposed master, wanted for me, and was told eight
hundred dollars, and that I was quite a bargain at that price. The trader did not
make any remark about the sum, but asked to see the bill of sale relating to me.
The young man answered that he had no
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bill of sale of me; his father had given me to him, so there had been no need of
one. He added that really he did not want to part with me, for I was a "thorough
good boy;" but he had been gambling; had lost a large sum, and was quite hard
up for cash, so he had no other alternative but to raise money by disposing of
me. Freeman replied that he was very sorry for him, but without a bill of sale he
would not give more than four hundred dollars for me. This made the young
man very angry, and he swore at Freeman, and cursed him for being so hard; but
after more chaffering, seeing that Freeman was firm, he consented to take the
sum offered: so the bargain was struck upon the spot, and they both conducted
me to the negro-pen, where I was shut up with other slaves, after being treated
to a meal of cold bacon and cabbage.
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24.03.2006
CHAPTER XII.
THE SLAVE-PEN IN NEW ORLEANS.
I HAVE stated that the slave-pen to which I was taken, stood facing the St.
Charles' HÔtel. It had formerly been an old Bank. It consisted of a block of
houses forming a square, and covering perhaps an acre of ground. The centre of
this square had been filled quite up with rubbish and stones, as high as the back
of the first floor of the houses, so as to form a solid foundation for the yard of